The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-04-13
CLEMENTS AND GARRETT.
Two Men of Individuality-Their Relations
to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
fPhil6delphfa Press

Philadelphia Press.
The career of William NJ. Clements, who,
as announced yesterday, will leave the
management of the Erie Express to become
the general manager OF the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad east of the Ohio River, has
been a remarkable one in many respects,
and he certainly is a remarkable man in
every respect. Prior to the war he was
freight conductor on the Baltimore and
Ohio, and be first met John w. Garrett,
then president Of the road, near Wheeling,
w. Va. Three rear cars of Conductor
Clements train were derailed one day near
Wheeling, and Clements took the red sig
nal and went back to flag an ex-
press which he knew was following. He
sent the engineer and fireman ahead to stop
all trains coming from that direction and
to get assistance, hurriedly calling out to
stupid brakeman: Pull the train ahead
about 100 yards" The rear cars had COM
menced to burn from the broken stove in
the caboose, and Clements wanted to save
the valuable freight in the others. The
brakeman climbed aboard the engine, but
was too stupid to open the throttle. The
whole train was burned, causing a loss of
over $73, 600. Wnen Clements returned to
the scene with some of the passengers from
the express, which he had stopped half a
mile away, he looked at the burning cars,
and, stepping mp TO the stupid brakeman,
hoored him with one powerful blow. A
stout, quiet-looking passenger walked up to
Clements and said: "Why did you desert
your train? You should have sent that
man back with the flag and saved these
cars yourself. 1t seems to me that you
don't know your business"
CIements is broad-shouIdered six-footer,
and when he glared at his audacious critic
many people supposed there would be an
other knock-doNn. why, you D. fool"
pose was going to I. ust that man? L
knew be was fool, like you. and that's the
reason let him monkey with the cars while
i went back to look after human lives"
Conductor, do you know who 1 amp
mo, and / don't care d"
81 am John w Garrett" "Well, don't
care if you are. If you value freight more
than human lives, 1 don't. And 1 will
burn up dozen trains before II let one of
your Cheap John brakemen kill few dozen
people.
Clements stalked away and busted him.
self directing the wrecking crew engaged IN
clearing the track Old man Garrett looked
quietly on without uttering another word.
The following week Clements was made a
passenger conductor, whereas everyone
supposed that he would be discharged. He
rose steadily until he became master of
transportation of the whole road.
In this position be was noted all over the
country for his ability and independence
and his absolute defiance of every other
mans ideas. His subordinates said that
he could "get there quicker than any
other man, and that he was the only chief
of department in the Baltimore and Ohio
service who did not tremble when Garrett
came along. He was VIGOROUSLY profane,
and it was limited that he even "cussed the
old man" on several occasions. In 1880,
Just about the time young Robert Garrett
commenced to be prominent in his father s
road, Clements had serious falling out
with the elder Garrett, which made things
unpleasant for the next two years. Finally,
brought to Baltimore from the west
ern division OF the road and CON.
menced to interfere with Clements an
explosion quickly followed. Clements had
always been great stickler for promotion,
and was wonderfully popular on fhis &C
count with his subordinates. When q
vacancy occurred in an important Office in
Clements department he recommended
the next highest official, and Durham
named friend from q western branch oil
the road. Dunham's man got the place,
and Clements went right in and told Robert
Garrett then vice-president and practical
manager, that he wouldn't allow Dunham':
man to serve under him.
"But, Mr.. Clements, discipline must be
maintained" said Garrett. "Well, you car
keep discipline, but you can't keep me on
these terms. This Western man is a dude
and has neither railroad sense, common
sense nor horse sense. won't have
him." said Clements, fatty. His pro
family at this time was lurid and intri
cate. Durham insisted on his point
Mr.. Garrett upheld him, and Clement:
forthwith resigned. The knowledge thai
Clements had been making fight in theil
interest made the employees of the road
1dollze him. They gave him magnificent
solid silver service, worth $500, and il
was soon admitted that Mr.. Garrett hac
made mistake. John King, Jr., of the
Erie, who had left the second vice-presi
deDoy of the Baltimore and Ohio under
pretty much the same circumstances, knew
Clements abilities and brought him to
New York on. a big salary. The return oil
the bluff railroad man to the Baltimore
and Ohio in a higher capacity and at
larger salary than formerly shows that Mr.
Garrett, whatever his motives in allo wins
his fathers old favOrite to resign, has nevel
doubted Clements ability.
This will serve as an introduction Il
another story about the late John W. Gar
rett, the great president of the Baltimor,
and Ohio. If there ever was an autocra
he was one, and he never could becom,
reconciled to the liberty of a newspape
cutting his manuscript or printing thing
that did not suit his taste or convenience
One summer while he was at Deer Park
Baltimore reporter was sent TO interview
him, and was instructed not to eturn IN
til he did get the interview. He went Il
Deer Park and saw Mr.. Garrett. The frs
result was blank refusal to say a word
The reporter merely replied: well, Mr.
Garrett, | am instructed to remain herr
until l get something from you good
day" He went back to the hotel, and a
he was comfortably accommodated in
very pleasant resort he did not mind am
amount of delay. He saw Mr.. Garrett ev
cry day, but did nothing except speak o.
ask him ID half jocular way, Are YOU
ready to be interviewed
As the days passed on Mr.. CARROTS de
termination gradually wilted before TIL
reporters staying powers, and at last b.
sent for him. He took him in his library
and closed the door. Then he broke on
into speech that was phenomenal for il
vigor and its adj ectives. The reporter tool
1t good-naturedly, and he even smiled, 70
he knew that his purpose was as good a
conplished.
And still you are going to stay here un
til YOU get that interview" asked Mr.. Gar
Iett AT asst
Those are my instructions and don
see why / should disregard them, espe
cially as this is such 9 very pleasant place.
my young friend, :" said the president
81 must say that / honestly admire you
II you show she same pluck and the sam
determination through life vou will he